Deaf Face Additional Barrier As Newcomers

An Interpreter Bridges The Gap For Those Who Need To Learn English And American Sign Language.

August 12, 2001|By Louise Story, Sentinel Staff Writer

Luz Elias looks at Ana Vega and her lips form her words in Spanish as her hands move in a combination of Peruvian and American sign languages. Vega then signs in American to Margarita Ortiz, who speaks in English to a curious guest.

This chain of communication, reminiscent of the childhood game of whispering around a circle to see how much the message changes, represents an accomplishment for deaf people such as Elias and Vega who come to the United States not knowing American Sign Language.

Few people realize that nearly all countries have their own sign languages. Deaf immigrants to the United States have to learn American Sign Language and English in order to communicate effectively.

That is where Vega steps in. She has taught the American system of sign language to deaf people from throughout the world. She often does not know their native sign languages or even the spoken languages, but she works individually to communicate with her pupils.

Vega, 46, couldn't find a teacher to help her learn American Sign Language 14 years ago when she moved to Altamonte Springs from Puerto Rico with her deaf husband and two hearing children. She didn't know English, she couldn't speak at all and her sign language from Puerto Rico was different from American Sign Language.

"It wasn't easy for me," Vega said through the interpreter. "My mind sees pictures because I have no hearing. I pick up language with my vision."

After learning American Sign Language, Vega began teaching it to immigrants at the Center for Independent Living, where Ortiz also works, in Winter Park. Vega has taught about 20 deaf people from Haiti, Peru, Vietnam, Germany and Hungary, among others. The classes are free.

Elias, 49, became one of Vega's early students when she moved from Lima, Peru. She now works as a custodian for the Center for Independent Living and recently became an American citizen. Her hearing sons, now students at Edgewater High School, learned to sign so they could communicate with her and their deaf father.

Elias, like other local deaf people, often relies on Ortiz, 46, to translate over the phone to doctor's offices, insurance agencies and potential employers because Ortiz can hear. "We're pretty much the tool to alleviating about 80 percent of the communication barrier so that a deaf person can continue with his dignity," Ortiz said.

It's almost a relief to a visitor when Ortiz speaks for herself. Ortiz has been talking for Vega and Elias, and a first-time participant can become flustered. Who should you look at when talking? Should you address the deaf person through the interpreter as "you" or "she?"

Ortiz, too, started off as an outsider. She learned American Sign Language when her two deaf sons were babies. Now, she proudly talks about her 25-year-old son who is a welder, plays basketball and leads a deaf ministry. Her 20-year-old son is majoring in animation at Valencia Community College.

As she talks, Ortiz is signing so Vega and Elias can understand. Somehow, Ortiz, Vega, Elias and the visitor -- who knows no sign language except the motion for "thank you" -- all sit in a room and talk in a circle. They try as hard as possible to convey meaning because, for them, this is no game.

"For those in wheelchairs, it's a walkway," Ortiz said. "For the deaf, it's an interpreter."